The Future and Other Practices of Anticipation - Report Example

The Future and Other Practices of Anticipation Student’s Name Institution Executive Summary The evolution of mobile phone communication technology including MP3 Players, mobile phones, GPS navigation systems and wireless internet has been a continuous innovation that has continued to evolve as necessitated by consumer varying preferences and needs. Considering the couple of other contemporary mobile communication technologies, the mobile phone communication is considered as one of the highly useful household appliance invented in the modern world. The growth and development in mobile technology has been phenomenal with a worldwide increase in the number of mobile phone subscribers. Notably, in 2010 alone and according to many researchers, mobile phone subscriptions rose incredibly with recorded data reaching the high of five billion subscribers mainly from the developing nations. However, to meet the ever- increasing user needs, new applications and innovative features continue to be added to make mobile phones do better and more effectively. Introduction In the past, there has been a remarkable milestone in communication in terms of alphabet, language and writing which have enabled humans shift from symbolic and verbal communication to modes of communication based on technologies including telegraphs, telephones, print press, radios, television and computers. Ideally, technology continues to transform the way we communicate with each other. Focusing on historical background, there has been numerous inventions that have really improved the manner in which we communicate. According to O'brien and Bentley (2011), technology has enabled large numbers of people to share knowledge and communicate with one another. Focusing on the evolution of communication technology, it is imperative to note that initially, messages were recorded from electrical signals, print media, which was then encoded and transmitted and later decoded as a message. Nevertheless, the invention of computers led to more advanced modes of communication. Ideally, as we move through ages, researchers continue to carry out more inventions leading to merging of numerous communication methods that were previously treated separately. As such, mobile phones are presently not used for voice communication only, but can also be used in taking videos, as cameras and as capacities for text messaging. In addition, computers that were originally used for managing data and in carrying out computations have now been transformed to serve as media devices. Initially, all these early technologies used switches and buttons, but they continue to advance with time as can be witnessed by newer versions that only require slight touch on the visual screen to interact with the communication medium. With the advancement of technology, mobile phone devices are certainly getting smaller in size and more specific to the purposes. Mobile enthusiasts thus have plenty to look forward to in the years ahead, with each of the mobile phone maker putting their best foot forward. This paper focuses on evolution, the rise and anticipated future of mobile phone technology. Evolution, rise and anticipated future of mobile phone technology The development of mobile telephony has been one of the success stories in information and communication sector. During the last two decades, the mobile telephone industry has experienced tremendous growth, which is attributable to technological, competitive and regulatory factors. In addition, the remarkable growth is partially attributable to the race for the consumer market. As the battle for producers to cut a niche in the market intensifies, the prices for mobile devices also reduce significantly. As a matter of fact, mobile phone connection rates are nowadays far much cheap that fixed line connectivity costs (Deal, 2008). Mobile phone technology has over time grown beyond its previous scale and scope. In this vein, it has turned to be one of the most notable catalysts of change in the modern society as it significantly determines how people communicate and interact with one another. Undoubtedly, there have been numerous technological transformations in the last two decades, in the mobile phone industry. This has been necessitated by the varied and ceaseless interactions between people. This view led to focus research on the evolution of communication technology especially electrical technology. However, many researchers have researched on models that explain technological changes. Archeologists had carried out generalized research on technological invention. This led to the development of other theories and models to complement the previous researches that had been earlier conducted. Notably, advancement in technology continues changing every day as people seek to improve their communication methods. Presently, wireless technology has increasingly grown in popularity, and its use continues to grow at an alarming rate. According to Hart and Hannan (2004), mobile computing technology commenced in 1960’s with digital calculator and watches. However, with the emergence of miniature technology, it became apparent that the combination of the two would be a greater success. Nevertheless, the trend of miniaturized technology continues to be one of the most significant driving forces that encourage complex computing devices to be developed for smaller handheld devices. According to Tsunoda and Kakei (2011), mobile phones due to their communication role were the most popular computing device to be invented. However with the combination of fast data network accessibility and extra computing functionality, mobile phones and related devices still falls below the high expectations of the manufacturers and users. Looking at the current forms of Personal Assisted Devices (PDA’s), reduced size proves to be a limiting factor. This is also seen in mobile phones through which larger screens have proved important with the release of numerous pictures. As such, the gadget manufacturers find themselves in a situation in which they are needed to present much information, while at the same time, not compromising the mobility and size of the devices. As such, screen technology has been found as one of the technical limits even though the researchers continue to find ways of incorporating the two. The mobile phone manufactures are trying to develop mobile phones with large screen enough to contain all the customers want on display at a go, while at the same time, minimizing the size of the gadget to make it portable (Hart and Hannan, 2004). As researcher continues to address screen technology, they must also consider the ability of users to view hyper texts both in paper and electronic formats. Presently, if a user wishes to view hypertexts in paper format, the texts lose its appeal. Thus, many mobile phone manufacturers continue to research on screen technologies that will support both paper and electronic formats. In the face of digitization where speed is the ultimate goal of all users, the need of wireless devices continues to grow with faster devices being invented day by day. However, even after taking into consideration of the speed of the mobile devices, a user must also be wary of the speed of the network on which the device functions from. Presently, wireless communication technologies appear in 1G, 2G, and 3G networks. However, in order to advance in digital voice and data rates, mobile phone device makers in conjunction with network service providers continues to work on more advanced and faster network platforms. The future technology focuses of 4G which has the capacity to reach speeds of up to 20 Mbps. In addition, some mobile device makers are finding ways of catering for high data connection speed. This includes the possibility of installing network access points in “hotspots” such as hotels, airports and cafes. 4G technology is expected to provide bandwidth that can have adequate power and speed to support modern applications, hence bringing down the costs of data network usage. Ideally, the mobile data user would be freed from the existing constraints of low bandwidth and unreliable networks. According to Andrews, Drennan and Russell-Bennett (2012), cost and speed are the main factors causing reduced demand for multimedia services offered by mobile phone service providers. Therefore, with relatively cheaper and much faster networks, mobile network operators must be prepared for a boom in mobile data connectivity and usage. Short battery life of mobile phone sets is another contributory factor negating mobile phone usage. Battery demands continue to increase with the emergence of fast processors. This is because, as the processor speed increases, so do the power consumption. Curwen and Whalley (2008) argue that the run-time of portable computing devices is not expected to improve unless there is a quantum leap in battery. However, this leap may be feasible with the invention of fuel cell technology. According to Jones (2008), standard battery technology heavily depends on chemical energy stored in the form of electrochemical, whereas fuel cells uses methanol to carry hydrogen necessary for carrying more energy. Liao (2010) found that when hydrogen combines with oxygen, it is more energetic as compared to a conventional cell technology. Fuel cells were originally meant for clean energy as the by-product is carbon dioxide and water. Scientists want to develop this technology to increase battery efficiency of modern electronic devices. Methanol fuel cells use hydrogen derived from aqueous solution to generate electricity by use of polymer electrolyte membrane that acts as a catalyst for reaction in order to separate hydrogen from positively charged electrons, which then combines with negatively charged oxygen atoms to form water which is the ultimate by-product. Fuel cells, as opposed to conventional battery technology consume “fuel” and only requires additional raw methanol when depleted (Lacohee, Wakeford and Pearson, 2003). In the coming decades, we expect to see the accessibility of myriad services through cellular phones. Presently, there is increased convergence of biotechnology, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence. This convergence is expected to lead to the development of new types of mobile devices that can only be scarcely imagined presently. Such new generation of mobile devices is expected to be able to monitor one’s medical status among other new services. More importantly, the technologies will be expected to be more ubiquitous and cheaper in the smart phone environment. It is reasonable beyond doubt that there will emerge numerous high-speed networks that will not be charging users for communication (Funk, 2009). As such, the network service providers will have no option other than moving up the value chain and only charge users for value added to business or user’s lives. Proponents of dynamisms of mobile phone technology are also suggesting evolution of gadgets with platforms through which business can market their products while at the same time enabling the user to take note of special offers and discounts available. Such advance devices will also provide electronic maps that can guide a user to get directions. More interestingly, the future advanced devices are expected to guide a user for instance within an airport while at the same time providing updates on the flight progress. In the past, mobile phone application has been developed by programmers, but in the advent of artificial intelligence, almost everyone can now take part in development of new applications. This will have an impact of increased application that would be helpful for solving problems faced by the majority of users. Governments across the world have a history of regulating the telecommunications networks. The introduction of cellular technology brought about competition to fixed line telephones and also led to privatization of mobile service providers. According to Palen and Hughes (2007), regulation from an economic point of view seeks to pursue efficiency. As such, many countries have specific bodies that are charged with the responsibility of formulating laws and regulation governing development, deployment and usage of mobile telephony products. Ideally, the regulatory authorities deal with a number of networked stakeholders and the formulated laws must take all their interests into consideration. As one of the regulations procedure, both network service providers and mobile phone dealers must meet requirements set by the regulatory body. This will ensure that the users get quality products and services. Further, the government imposes taxes on service providers, which ensure that only firms with established capital base enter the market. Other regulations include those requiring service providers to maintain details of mobile phone users in order to prevent against the use of cellular phones for illegal means. Conclusion For the last two decades, it is evident that mobile phone communications have significantly evolved beyond voice communication and has grown to be an indispensable tool. People can now search for nearby restaurants, listen to music, make payments, take photographs, read news among others. According to Kisswani (2011), 2.9 billion people are presently using mobile phones with 700, 000 others signing up every day. Surprisingly, mobile telephony has entrenched fixed line telephony that was established earlier. Nevertheless, scientists continue to research for more innovation for mobile telephony to remain relevant in the market by serving consumer needs. New technologies that seek to make the life of users pretty easier continues to emerge and therefore, the mobile device manufacturers should use such technologies in further development of mobile devices such that they can serve the users in a more better and advanced ways. For instance, scientists are researching ways in which mobile devices can be used to monitor an individual’s health status. In addition, they are also trying to come up with ways in which such devices can be used for marketing and accessibility of market information. All these anticipated future developments will rely on the ability of gadgets to process information fast. As such, the device manufacturers are also building on the present weaknesses of the current devices. For instance, present devices have been found to present paper information unclearly. In addition, the networks from which the devices operate from are quite slow hence making the devices to be less effective. More so, the battery life of most modern gadgets is known to be of short life. Faced with such myriad shortcoming, the mobile phone devises manufacturers and service providers are tirelessly working to ensure that future gadgets are more effective in meeting the customer’s needs. It is undeniable that mobile phones have overtime undergone varied transformations hence the efficiency in functionalities. References Andrews, L., Drennan, J., and Russell-Bennett, R. (2012). Linking perceived value of mobile marketing with the experiential consumption of mobile phones. European Journal of Marketing, 46(3), 357- 386. Curwen, P., and Whalley, J. (2008). Mobile television: Technological and regulatory issues. Info : The Journal of Policy, Regulation and Strategy for Telecommunications, Information and Media, 10(1), 40-64. Deal, W. F. (2008). Communication technology: The magic of touch. The Technology Teacher, 68(2), 11- 18. Funk, J. L. (2009). The co-evolution of technology and methods of standard setting: The case of the mobile phone industry. Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 19(1), 73-93. Hart, J., and Hannan, M. (2004). The future of mobile technology and mobile wireless computing. Campus - Wide Information Systems, 21(5), 201-204. Retrieved from Jones, S.E. (2008). Anticipating Spore, The Meaning of Video Games: Gaming and Textual Studies New York: Routledge. Kisswani, N. M. (2011). The reasonable necessary for the implement of telecommunications interception and access laws. The International Lawyer, 45(3), 857-879. Lacohee, H., Wakeford, N., and Pearson, I. (2003). A social history of the mobile telephone with a view of its future. BT Technology Journal, 21(3), 203-211. Retrieved from Liao, K. (2010). An exploratory study the expectations from undergraduate students' perspectives for the future mobile phone innovations. Journal of International Management Studies, 5(1), 99- 108. O'brien, M., J., and Bentley, R. A. (2011). Stimulated variation and cascades: Two processes in the evolution of complex technological systems. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 18(4), 309-335. Palen, L., and Hughes, A. (2007). When home base is not a place: Parents' use of mobile telephones. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 11(5), 339-348. Tsunoda, Y., and Kakei, S. (2011). Anticipation of future events improves the ability to estimate elapsed time. Experimental Brain Research, 214(3), 323-34. Read More

In addition, computers that were originally used for managing data and in carrying out computations have now been transformed to serve as media devices. Initially, all these early technologies used switches and buttons, but they continue to advance with time as can be witnessed by newer versions that only require slight touch on the visual screen to interact with the communication medium. With the advancement of technology, mobile phone devices are certainly getting smaller in size and more specific to the purposes.

Mobile enthusiasts thus have plenty to look forward to in the years ahead, with each of the mobile phone maker putting their best foot forward. This paper focuses on evolution, the rise and anticipated future of mobile phone technology. Evolution, rise and anticipated future of mobile phone technology The development of mobile telephony has been one of the success stories in information and communication sector. During the last two decades, the mobile telephone industry has experienced tremendous growth, which is attributable to technological, competitive and regulatory factors.

In addition, the remarkable growth is partially attributable to the race for the consumer market. As the battle for producers to cut a niche in the market intensifies, the prices for mobile devices also reduce significantly. As a matter of fact, mobile phone connection rates are nowadays far much cheap that fixed line connectivity costs (Deal, 2008). Mobile phone technology has over time grown beyond its previous scale and scope. In this vein, it has turned to be one of the most notable catalysts of change in the modern society as it significantly determines how people communicate and interact with one another.

Undoubtedly, there have been numerous technological transformations in the last two decades, in the mobile phone industry. This has been necessitated by the varied and ceaseless interactions between people. This view led to focus research on the evolution of communication technology especially electrical technology. However, many researchers have researched on models that explain technological changes. Archeologists had carried out generalized research on technological invention. This led to the development of other theories and models to complement the previous researches that had been earlier conducted.

Notably, advancement in technology continues changing every day as people seek to improve their communication methods. Presently, wireless technology has increasingly grown in popularity, and its use continues to grow at an alarming rate. According to Hart and Hannan (2004), mobile computing technology commenced in 1960’s with digital calculator and watches. However, with the emergence of miniature technology, it became apparent that the combination of the two would be a greater success. Nevertheless, the trend of miniaturized technology continues to be one of the most significant driving forces that encourage complex computing devices to be developed for smaller handheld devices.

According to Tsunoda and Kakei (2011), mobile phones due to their communication role were the most popular computing device to be invented. However with the combination of fast data network accessibility and extra computing functionality, mobile phones and related devices still falls below the high expectations of the manufacturers and users. Looking at the current forms of Personal Assisted Devices (PDA’s), reduced size proves to be a limiting factor. This is also seen in mobile phones through which larger screens have proved important with the release of numerous pictures.

As such, the gadget manufacturers find themselves in a situation in which they are needed to present much information, while at the same time, not compromising the mobility and size of the devices. As such, screen technology has been found as one of the technical limits even though the researchers continue to find ways of incorporating the two. The mobile phone manufactures are trying to develop mobile phones with large screen enough to contain all the customers want on display at a go, while at the same time, minimizing the size of the gadget to make it portable (Hart and Hannan, 2004).

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